Housing Plug Connection With Elastic Sealing Bead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting an external plug to a functional element within a housing are not space-efficient, easy to handle, or reliably sealed, often requiring complex installation processes and additional securing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tapered passage opening in the housing wall allows the plug to be inserted and widened at a predetermined breaking point, with a barrier matching the plug's geometry for optimal sealing, and a baffle is used to secure the plug in place, providing vibration damping and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching arrangement with lugs is used behind the passage opening, then the plug connection is mechanically secured, but the installation dimensions increase and the plugging process is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The latching function is extracted from the plug itself and transferred to a separate latching element that is attached to the housing. This allows the plug to remain simple while the housing provides the securing mechanism through the latching element that engages with the passage opening.
Solution Approach 2:
A latching element is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing and the plug. This element bridges the gap between the passage opening and the plug, providing mechanical security without requiring complex modifications to either the housing or the plug.
2Ease of operation
If the latching system is positioned outside the housing, then the plugging process is simplified, but the mechanical load on the connection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element utilizes the wall thickness dimension of the housing to create an effective latching mechanism. By engaging behind the passage opening within the wall structure, it provides strong mechanical retention without protruding externally, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high strength.
3Ease of operation
If a passage opening is provided for plug insertion, then the plug connection is simplified, but reliable sealing against environmental influences becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing bead with elastic material is provided around the passage opening. This flexible sealing element can deform to accommodate the plug insertion while maintaining a tight seal against environmental influences. The elastic nature of the sealing bead allows it to conform to the plug surface, ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the passage opening structure by providing the sealing bead directly around the opening. This integration ensures that the sealing is inherent to the connection structure itself, rather than being a separate component, thus maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the passage opening geometry is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but optimal sealing for different plug geometries cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing bead is made of elastic material that can change its shape and dimensions in response to different plug geometries. This allows a single fixed passage opening geometry to achieve optimal sealing with various plug types, as the sealing bead adapts its parameters (shape, contact pressure) to match the specific plug being inserted.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution creates a space-saving, easy-to-handle, and reliably sealed connection that is mechanically secured, reducing the risk of disconnection due to cable tension or vibrations, while maintaining effective sealing against environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet opening situated behind this in the housing itself is surrounded by an elastic sealing bead
Implementation Method 2
the plug engages behind the passage opening within the housing wall by means of a latching arrangement in the form of lugs which spread out in the manner of the barbs behind the passage opening when a tensile load is applied to the cable
Data Source
AI summary
In spite of the absence of a pullout fuse block, functional elements comprising simple socket-type connectors come into contact with an external cable in a mechanically and electrically reliable manner, when said cable has a rod-type or sword-type mating connector which engages directly in the connector by means of a radially protruding return baffle, in a sealed manner, through the rear of an opening in the wall of a housing. If, during the plug-in action, an injection-molded skin which first at least partially closes the opening is enlarged or perforated, the breaking edge nestling against the envelope surface of the mating connector in the plug-in direction provides another retraction block with additional sealing and vibration damping.